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The first people to live on the land now known as New Jersey were the Delaware Indians. Anywhere from 8,000 to 20,000 Delaware Indians lived in the area when the first Europeans arrived.
New Jersey was an important state during the Revolutionary War because of its location near the center of the thirteen colonies and between New York City and Philadelphia. Because of this, more battles were fought in New Jersey than in any other state. The Americans and British fought 100 battles, both large and small, here.

O Lord,
Our ancestors’ greed overtook the land of the Indians. They removed the landmarks of the land You had given these tribes for their inheritance. What curses spoken by the Native Americans, the immigrant Europeans, and the British soldiers defile the land? What spilt blood cries out from the soil?
We confess our sins of hatred, fear, greed, and vengeance; we confess the sins of our ancestors in removing their neighbors’ landmarks. We cry out to You to root up these hidden defilements and cleanse the land.
We declare New Jersey to be the Garden State both in the spiritual realm and the natural realm. Thy kingdom come and Thy will be done in the state of New Jersey as it is in heaven. Amen.Deuteronomy 19:14, 27:17, Isaiah 24:5-6, Proverbs 22:28

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Then the word of the LORD came to me, saying: (Jeremiah 1:4)
LORD, let your word come to us as well.

“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; before you were born I sanctified you; I ordained you a prophet to the nations.” (Jeremiah 1:5)
Holy Spirit, give us ears and hearts to hear and receive your word through the prophets.

Then said I: “Ah, Lord GOD! Behold, I cannot speak, for I am a youth.” (Jeremiah 1:6)
Jesus, please help all those who hear your word to speak it. Don’t let them be dismayed because of their youth or for any other condition.

But the LORD said to me: “Do not say, ‘I am a youth,’ for you shall go to all to whom I send you, and whatever I command you, you shall speak.” (Jeremiah 1:7)
Speak, LORD, for your servant is listening.

“Do not be afraid of their faces, for I am with you to deliver you,” says the Lord.” (Jeremiah 1:8 )
Father, you have not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.

Then the LORD put forth his hand and touched my mouth, and the LORD said to me: “Behold, I have put my words in your mouth.” (Jeremiah 1:9)
Jesus, put forth your hand and touch us as well.

“See, I have this day set you over the nations and over the kingdoms, to root out and to pull down, to destroy and to throw down, to build and to plant.” (Jeremiah 1:10)
LORD, set your word over this nation and over the Episcopal Church to root out and to pull down, to destroy and to throw down, to build and to plant.

The Seventh Welcome Home Initiative came to a close last Wednesday with a well-filled chapel and applause for our latest WHI Warriors concluding their retreat. Fr. Nigel opened the Ceremony with prayer and gave the final blessing. Still on medical leave, his presence on the platform with Bishop Dave, Noel and Chaplain Olsen brought tears to many eyes, given his near-to-death condition at the time of the last WHI. We look forward to Fr. Nigel’s full return to ministry on future retreats.

The morning had begun with a Healing Prayer service which included the anointing of hands which had held weapons in battle and round-robin prayers for each man by all gathered around. An older veteran “sat in” for a younger combatant who had had to leave early for a medical appointment in Maryland, and all prayed for this courageous young man’s healing and blessing. When all had received prayer, we adjourned to the top of the hill and the service in Christ the King Chapel.

The homily was preached by Chaplain Eric Olsen of the New York State National Guard. He observed that the military today are masters of violence but are now able to pinpoint that violence with surgical precision. The soldier’s world is a black and white world. A good soldier must always remember that he is a child of God first and a soldier second. Without that perspective, reentry into the nuanced world of civilian life is impossible.

Chaplain Olsen recounted a firefight in Samarra, Iraq, he witnessed where a child was caught in cross fire. The family and neighbors of that child did nothing. Then one of his men ran out and swept the child to safety, risking his life. He asked the soldier later “Why did you do that?” and he replied, “I don’t know!” Chaplain Olsen believes that the American soldier responded in that way because he instinctively knew that he and that child were both children of God.

Today’s military is beset by suicide, violence and alcohol abuse. Chaplain Olsen suggested that for all the resiliency programs and “complete soldier packages” that the armed forces have come up with in answer, what the young Warriors need is simply to know who they are as children of God. “If you can’t see God’s hand at work in the world around you,” he said, “Trust in His heart.” That soldier in Samarra was God’s hands and reflected the goodness of God’s heart.

Once again I thank each of you for keeping the Welcome Home Initiative in prayer both in preparation for and through these three days. The next Welcome Home Initiatives will take place May 24-26 and November 8-9, 2010.

Sister Mary Elizabeth, CSM
For the Oratory of Christ the Healer at Christ the King Center in Greenwich, NY

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Ephesians 5:18 (Amplified Bible)
And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery; but ever be filled and stimulated with the [Holy] Spirit.

Colossians 1:27 (New Living Translation)
For God wanted them to know that the riches and glory of Christ are for you Gentiles, too. And this is the secret: Christ lives in you. This gives you assurance of sharing his glory.

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Father Tim Fountain reports the dire circumstances at the Cheyenne River Sioux Reservation.

Oh, Lord,
We look at the long history of broken treaties, broken promises, and broken lives. Now there are broken power lines and water pipes. Is there no balm in Cheyenne River? Have mercy. Restore this “People of the Earth” to wholeness. Restore them to spiritual wholeness in Your Son and to physical wholeness in their homes. Relieve their distress, we pray. Amen.

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for you had compassion on me in my chains, and joyfully accepted the plundering of your goods, knowing that you have a better and an enduring possession for yourselves in heaven. (Hebrews 10:34)
Jesus, once again we offer you ourselves, our money, and our resources; show us how we can better support the apostolic ministry you have given Bishop Bill. Fill us with the hope of the resurrection.

Therefore do not cast away your confidence, which has great reward. (Hebrews 10:35)
Holy Spirit, please help us cling to all that has enduring value in your sight.

For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise: (Hebrews 10:36)
Father, please help us press on toward the goal for the prize of your upward call in Christ Jesus. Help us to lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has laid hold of us. Thank you.

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Written while on retreat. Some of the ideas for this prayer came from “Thy Kingdom Come Thy Will Be Done in Earth” by Jim and Faith Chosa. .

O Holy Spirit, come. Come now. Come with more power.
Show me my forgotten sins and convict me. I confess ______. I confess the sins of my ancestors, _________. Remove from me all of my sins and all historical and generational issues of iniquity. With Your living water, wash away the accumulated defilements of my body, soul, and spirit.
Anoint me, body, mind, and spirit with Your love. Lift the burdens off my shoulders. Penetrate and break the yoke off my neck. Penetrate and realign all abnormal chromosomal linkages.

Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts. I bless You Lord God, the God of Israel, who alone does wondrous things, and I bless Your glorious name forever. The whole earth is full of Your glory.